R.I.P. Mel Cheren

[wever]

Originally Posted by STEPHEN L FREEMAN

I can't add much to what's already been written.
But I can't be silent, either.

My sleeve tattoo is a tight collage of the logos from some of the companies I had a legitimate connection to, whether in promotion or mixing, during my career.
Halfway-up, surrounded by Unidisc, Casablanca, Megatone and Rei-Vera, sits my pink & orange tatt of the West End logo.
From his days at Scepter, through the revival of West End, Mel was one of my greatest Heros. With him goes a piece of my heart.

"Speak Well..."

oops maybe this is the wrong place to ask but...can u show us? :)

[STEPHEN L FREEMAN]

Just stumbled across this, on the net...

"Motown Records was the first to market these (promo 12" singles) through their "Eye-Cue" label, but these and other 12-inch singles were the length of the original 45s until Scepter/Wand released the first 12-inch extended-version single in 1976: Jesse Green 's "Nice and Slow" b/w Sweet Music 's "I Get Lifted" (engineered by Tom Moulton )."

"Nice and Slow" brings back some of my most cherished memories of rope-light dance-floors and long gone, "bestest friends". It was, also, the first record I'd ever edited. Combining the vocal & intrumental 7" versions, (in hindsight, spawning my career as an editor) and segueing into the edited reel at work. Then Joel Silver gave me the Rick Gianatos edit, on a Disco Queen Records acetate.

Then I got the 12" from Scepter.
The label reads: "Special Disco Mix: Mel Cheren & Howard Metz"
And I still have my perfect Scepter promo.

Thanks Mel, for playing a part in some of the greatest nights of my life.

[phillygroove]

Hi everyone,

Here I am. back again with part 2 as promised:

Last week we aired part 2 of our tribute to the GODFATHER OF DISCO.

Part 2 can be heard by downloading this link:
MEL CHEREN / WEST END RECORDS TRIBUTE SHOW (PART 2)

Part 3 will be going to air this weekend and will feature the remainder of the West End catalogue and some of Mel's earlier works - including We're on the Right Track and Nice N Slow.

Take care everyone and happy holidays!

disco kisses from down under,

Phill Mezzatesta (and Bryan Bergman - where are you miss thing??)

[needlefingers]

His passing was (finally) reported in today's New York Times.

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/21/ar...es&oref=slogin

[hotshotakb]

I attended Mel Cheren’s memorial service on January 17 in NYC. It was Standing Room Only with the Glitterati of Disco days gone by and just as many newcomers who had only an inkling of who Mel Cheren was. There were speakers and performers, filling two hours with stories, songs, music and visual images that had all of us spellbound from the moment it began. The service was held at the extraordinary St. Peter’s Church. This ultra-modern facility boasts high-end audio and video gear, a grand piano and a soaring pipe organ that looks like it came out of a Star Wars movie. Several hundred people filled the seats and stood around the sunken amphitheatre-style auditorium housed below 54th and Lexington in Midtown Manhattan. We got to hear Mel’s life story. We were reacquainted with his personality. We learned how he fiercely supported the music of the Disco Era. We heard how he pioneered philanthropy for AIDS in New York City. Mel was a founding member of several AIDS foundations which he continued to support until December 7, 2007, the day he died.

There was laughter. There were tears. Mel’s life-size poster looked out at all of us while we were showered with the magic that was his life. Mel was ALWAYS ready to either throw or go to a party. This night, we were at the party that celebrated the life of a man who figured prominently into the development of Disco music. A man who stayed committed to its artists and the music from Day One. We all pledged in our hearts and minds to save a place on the dance floor for Mel, something he always said he wanted done for him. Mel Cheren gave us so much of the music that swirled around those dance floors we couldn’t ever get enough of, always promoting the contagious effect that Disco had upon all of our lives.

To Mel: Please give a kiss to Karen Young for me. While you’re at it, give one to Kurt Borusiewicz, also. With the recent re-release of my song “Hot Shot,” I feel as though our musical team is back together once again. How sweet it was for me to be part of the adoring crowd that paid tribute to you, “The Godfather of Disco,” and the legacy you left behind for all of us. We will always remember you.

Andy Kahn
MaxRoxx Music

[phillygroove]

Hi everyone,

Here I am after a extended holiday period and back again with part 3 as promised, (sorry it took so long to get it up here, I had some PC issues):

Last month we aired part 3 of our tribute to the GODFATHER OF DISCO.

Part 3 can be heard by downloading this link:
MEL CHEREN / WEST END RECORDS TRIBUTE SHOW (PART 3)

Take care everyone and hope you had an enjoyable break!

disco kisses from down under,

Phill Mezzatesta (and Bryan Bergman - there you are miss thing!)